Posted on 11th February 2020
Youth Solutions calls on local youth to help identify and address issues facing young people in the Macarthur and Wingecarribee areas
Youth Solutions’ Youth Advisory Group (YAG) is the starting point for all of the charity’s community work and health promotion programs and the youth service is reaching out for the next intake of volunteers.
Youth Solutions CEO Geraldine Dean said: “Our projects are geared towards preventing drug and alcohol related among young people, so it makes sense that we need input from young people to ensure our community programs are relevant and engaging.”
YAG is a voluntary group of young people, aged 16 to 25, who assist Youth Solutions to identify the issues that local young people are facing.
“We are after young people who live, study, work or spend their recreation time in the Macarthur or Wingecarribee areas,” she said. “They must also be passionate about youth health.”
YAG volunteers meet monthly at the Youth Solutions’ office in Macarthur Square Shopping Centre. They receive ongoing training and support to become knowledgeable, skilled and confident peer educators. YAG members are given opportunities to co-facilitate workshops and presentations at local schools and other learning spaces, and help run community health promotion campaign stalls and attend community events alongside Youth Solutions staff.
Volunteers also are involved in the implementation of the Safer Celebrations campaign, Mental Health Month initiatives and plan, implement and evaluate the #whyichoose campaign.
Outgoing volunteer Tumama had only praise for YAG. “This is an experience I will always take with me and I will definitely recommend it to anyone,” the young woman said.
Fellow volunteer Rachel thanked Youth Solutions for the opportunity to be part of YAG.
“The whole team at Youth Solutions provided a positive experience for me during YAG,” she said. “I was always given the correct resources and knowledge to help me succeed and I am very thankful for the time I was able to spend with the team. I have been able to learn lifelong skills and valuable AOD (alcohol and other drugs) information.”
If you are interested in joining YAG, you can find the YAG member application form at youthsolutions.com.au.
For more information, contact Youth Solutions’ Health Promotion Co-ordinator Sam Young on 4628 2319 or email sam@youthsolutions.com.au
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